Category Last Walk Report

Thirteen walkers, three being visitors,  met up at the Cronulla Ferry Wharf, for the brief ride across to Bundeena.

It was shaping up to be a hot day, and did turn out that way.

We walked from the ferry around to Jibbon Beach and headed out to the headland track along the sand. This goes around Jibbon Head, often looking out to sea, which was beautiful in the light.

On the way out to the headland we visited the Dharawal rock carving site, which is mostly images of marine animals, with some kangaroo engravings.

From there, we followed the coast around to Shelley Beach and had a quick break before heading back along the Jibbon Head Track into Bundeena. By this time it was hot and this, along with correcting a brief wrong turn made for a slow walk back.

Most of the group took advantage of the booking for a table in the RSL, for a drink and/or a meal. Some took the time for a swim after lunch, and it was back to Cronulla on the ferry.

Fortunately, the day was overcast and thus a pleasant temperature for walking as 15 walkers took on this lengthy and often quite exposed walk. By the time we completed the 17 kms of mostly hard surface walking, our feet were very pleased to have the weight taken off them.

We saw some sight along the way- the Wentworth mausoleum in Vaucluse, various memorials, the Macquarie Lightstation, Waverley Cemetery, lots of housing (exotic and otherwise) and many wonderful city, beach, sea, and cliff vistas. A new section of the coastal walk was well received, but the path south of Bondi was extremely busy.

After undoing the car shuffle, drinks were enjoyed at the delightful Nielsen Cafe, Vaucluse.

It was a very hot day. The sea breeze did arrive, but not until about 11 am. Nevertheless, 16 walkers turned up, all very happy to start the new walking season together.

We met at Waverton station, passed Wollstonecraft station and then entered the bush, going down along Berry Bay to Berry Is. Despite this being an urban walk, there are several patches of very nice bush on the harbour foreshore. These provide welcome shade and relative coolness.

Past Berry Island we met a tricky bit of rock scrambling, something which looked slippery but wasn’t. This was negotiated with a helping hand where needed. There was also a longer path which a couple of people took. 

We continued to wind around the harbour foreshore, each time circling back close to Waverton. This way we passed Balls Head and the very interesting Coal Loader. Morning tea was eaten in a nice patch of shade on grass and lunch likewise.

The last stop of the walk was the cool Wendy Whiteley’s Garden, before well-earned drinks at the air- conditioned Kirribili Hotel. Well done all for a summer walk on a hot day.

Peter edit: We actually saw Wendy Whiteley happily out watering her plants at the top of her garden!

With temperatures predicted to reach 40 degrees, it was decided to replace our planned walk with a shorter morning expedition from Rose Bay to Watsons Bay and finish with a dip in the harbour.

A group of 4 walkers met at the Rose Bay Ferry Wharf and under high cloud and pleasant temperatures set off, soon reaching Queens Walk and the Hermitage Foreshore. The paths were busy with runners and the beaches popular with many people already in the water. We stopped at Nielsen Park for morning tea. The large seawall on Shark Beach was well populated.

The cloud cover was still keeping the temperature reasonable as we headed out to Vaucluse Point and then around the streets full of swanky homes. The bridge over Parsley Bay is always a delight to cross, but there were surprisingly few people in the water there.

Onwards we went until we reached Watsons Bay. It was still quite early, but the swimming enclosure next to the Vaucluse Yacht Club has been improved with walkways and pontoons and looked very inviting. We took our time with a refreshingly cool swim and then picnicked in the shade of the large trees near the Watsons Bay Hotel. Fish and chips, coffee and ice creams were variously enjoyed before the ferry trip back to Rose Bay.

It had been so pleasant , we thought the BOM had got the forecast wrong, but when we got home, it was 40 degrees, so apologies to BOM. This walk was an excellent way to keep cool.

On the 29^th of November, 9 members of the Up and Downers team got together for the Mosman to Balmoral beach walk.

The walk that was scheduled was Bundeena to Little Marley Beach and Wattamolla beach, however due to a Fire-Ban, a change had to be made.

Walk started off with a set of stairs from Mosman wharf, walking past the Taronga park zoo jetty.

The walk took the 9 intrepid walkers across Bradleys Head for some views across the Harbour, walking across the foreshore, we ended up at Clifton Gardens, where the team stopped for a quick morning team break. After this we walked across Georges Head, and middle head (The Sydney Harbour National Park.

The team powered through to end up at Balmoral Beach where we had lunch, after which two of the members took a well earned dip in the water. A Collective decision was made to walk back to the starting point, via a path we found in lieu of walking on the “hot” road.

On the way back as we passed military road, we took a quick detour to a local pub for another quick refreshing drinks, before coming back to the cars and heading home.

Great walk and great input from all members, especially for this leaders first walk 😊

6 walkers met at Bass and Flinders Point South Cronulla on a cool cloudy day. After a quick chat we started on our walk picking up a 7^th walker on Cronulla esplanade. We continued the walk past Elouera and Wanda beaches noting the rough seas and the degree of beach erosion. There were many walkers and dogs but not so many swimmers. We continued through Greenhills, through the restored dune vegetation and stopped for morning tea at the rehabilitated sand mining pond which is now home to fish and birds observing a large fish being caught from the pond.

We had a jovial, professional photographer offer to take our photo. From here we returned the same way pausing at Cronulla beach for lunch. Despite the overcast weather, there was no rain at all and walking conditions were very pleasant. Thanks to everyone who participated.

13 happy hikers were on good time for start of this adventure. Soon into 3 cars and off to Little Beach carpark. Walked down to beach (saw amazing native cymbidium orchid and 2 wallabies) to check out the campground (in good use) before returning to turn off to the Bouddi Trail. Side trip to end of 3rd Point Trail for morning tea on the rocks/cliff edge. Back to main trail and up and down with great coastal views until eventual descent to Maitland Bay Beach. As tide was conveniently low, most of the group rock hopped out further to see the remains of the SS Maitland paddlesteamer (wrecked here in 1898 with loss of 25+ lives). Still 3 or 4 chunks of rusty metal obvious! Lunch in shade of rock overhang was enjoyed by all, and then to the other end of the beach to start the climb out. Most of the group took the side trip in and out to Bullimah Lookout for spectacular views. Car shuffle undone and all reassembled at the Empire Bay Tavern for well deserved refreshments. Thanks to all for another pleasant day out and for working together to assist one member who found things a bit of a struggle at one stage. We all need to remember to drink more water on warm and muggy days. David and Val

Eight walkers joined our easy walk around Narrabeen Lagoon. We started from the small reserve off Mactier Street. At Val and Dave’s suggestion, we went anticlockwise for a change, so after walking through Narrabeen and over the bridge, we walked through the reserves on the western side of the lagoon, mainly through sheoaks. There were plenty of birds including swans, and a lot of walkers / runners / cyclists. There was a snack break in Middle Creek Reserve, and we had a bite of lunch back where we started.

Thanks to everyone for a pleasant walk in good company.

Despite a paucity of walk description, and forecast high temperatures, 6 walkers packed more water than usual and their sense of adventure for this new walk for the club. The walk is an alternative to the Great West Walk, Glenbrook to Woodford section and was chosen because the original was uninspiring.

After leaving cars at Glenbrook Station, we drove 23klms to the start of the walk at Woodford, parked and headed down the Oaks Firetrail. This is a wide, well maintained firetrail, shared with mountain bike riders. Fortunately, there were only a few mountain bike riders, as those travelling in the same direction as us were travelling very fast. As the temperature rose, the bush flies made their presence known, encouraging us to keep walking at a good pace to keep them out of our faces.

After about 6klms, we left the Oaks Firetrail and turned on to the St Helena Ridge Firetrail, again wide and well-maintained. Areas which had been control burned a  year or so ago were awash with flannel flowers. It was a very impressive display. There was a diversity of wildflowers throughout the day, but none in great numbers other than the flannel flowers.

Afew kilometres further on, we left the wide firetrail and started along a heavily overgrown firetrail, slowing progress. We found a tree throwing good shade for lunch and then pressed on, the trail narrowing to a bush track.

The most interesting part of the walk then commenced with the descent to the creek, the track zig zagging down a steep rocky slope. The temperature was reaching its peak for the day, so it was with relief that we reached the creek and found it had plenty of water. Boots off and feet int eh water. Bliss!

Once cooled and restored, we crossed the creek, followed the creek edge a short distance (and saw a magnificent swimming hole) and then tackled the cliffs, scaling boulders on the way.

By the time we were close to the railway line, water was running low, but by sharing around what we had left, we reached the cars.  Peter shared some chilled drinks he had thoughtfully stored in his vehicle, to the evident pleasure of all. After unding the car shuffle, we stopped at the Lapstone Hotel for a dr ink on the way home.

This walk is a much more interesting option than the original Glenbrook to Woodford section of the GWW as it is through pleasant bush away from the highway. The creek was a high light and worth considering for a swim. However, it would be best done on a day that was not so hot.

Thank you to all for your resilience and team work.